It was on a cold and dreary September Monday last year when 120 of the world’s best competitive bicyclists began a leisurely ride through the Parkway System and out of town, destined for Kansas City.

Organizers of the Tour of Missouri, especially local organizers, were expecting a larger crowd. School, work and weather took the brunt of the blame for the lack of fans.

But this year, instead of a leisurely weekday cruise, fans will likely get a weekend sprint finish as the riders (two of whom are the top sprinters in the world) pedal from Chillicothe to the finish line behind City Hall on Francis Street.

“Even people who aren’t cycling enthusiasts, once they see it, they become one,” said Lindsay Bernard, sports marketing manager at the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau. Ms. Bernard is a convert after experiencing last year’s race first-hand. She put considerable hours in organizing events at the local level last year, but her cycling experience up to then went as far as her pre-teen Huffy.

“Your adrenaline gets going,” Ms. Bernard said of watching the riders, decked out in their team kits (uniforms), riding some of the most advanced bikes on the market. A barrage of percussive fireworks announced the official beginning of the race last year at Bartlett Park as hundreds of school children lined the road, screaming with excitement as the riders upped the pace. “We jumped in the car and followed, and it was so exciting. It was really, really fun.”

Last year’s event capped off an entire weekend of activities at Civic Center Park. This year’s events will be condensed into one day — Saturday, Sept. 12, the finish of the sixth stage in the seven-stage race.

“We’re going to see a big increase in numbers, as long as we can keep the weather nice,” Ms. Bernard said.

If hotel room sales are any indication, the event will be big. Rooms for Saturday at the Holiday Inn Downtown are nearly at capacity, said sales manager Janice Keith.

“I think there is a lot more hype this year than last,” she said. “They have a lot more understanding of what’s going on ... more excitement, I guess.”

Last year’s event brought in an estimated $30 million statewide, with 434,000 spectators on the route. The estimate in St. Joseph only hit 4,200, with another 10,000 on the route to Kansas City. More overnight guests are expected this year in St. Joseph because the town is hosting the finish. The economic impact in St. Joseph from the teams and Tour of Missouri staff alone will probably hit $100,000, according to the CVB.

Cycling fans focus more attention at the end of a race than the beginning, appropriately. But organizers are expecting more interaction with riders, as they’ll be staying longer than in 2008.

“Last year they got on their bikes, they rode, they left,” said Marci Bennett, director of the CVB. “But this year they’ll be staying, and it will be kind of fun.”

Events at Civic Center Park begin at 11 a.m. Saturday with a trials demo, which is basically mountain bikers negotiating obstacles. Kids’ bike races begin at noon, followed by the adult tricycle race at 1:30 p.m. Food vendors will be on site.

Local organizers are pushing a promotion called “Meet Me at the Finish Line” to get crowds to Civic Center Park to see the finish. Spectators can pick up a punch card at Hy-Vee, City Hall, the CVB or the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce and turn it in at the park the day of the race for a chance at prizes. Drawings begin at 3 p.m.

The riders are expected to arrive in St. Joseph between 5 and 6 p.m., though it could be earlier, depending on the tempo of the group.

Jimmy Myers can be reached

at jimmym@npgco.com.